Loose minerals and different size goats

[Zilli]

For those of you with different size goats, how do you handle the loose mineral dish/dispenser placement?

I have dairy goats. And I have pygmy goats. And I have dairy/pygmy crosses. A couple of the pygmies are really tiny.

And I can't come up with the perfect set-up for my loose minerals that accommodates all the different sizes adequately.

I use the hook-over feeders for the minerals and if I place them low enough for the littlest pygmies to be able to reach, the bigger goats pee and poop in them.

I'm pretty sure I throw out more minerals than the goats ever actually eat.

Other than separating the goats by sizes (which isn't an option), I just don't know what to do.

I have thought about doing two different heights: one high up for the big goats and one down low for the little ones. I realize the ones down low would still get soiled, but maybe I could put less in that feeder and then have less to have to throw out. I also thought about using two feeders and putting the lower one immediately under the higher one by a foot or two, thinking maybe the one on top would give a little protection for the lower one - make it harder for them to pee and poop into it.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Put the mineral feeders where they are NOT in a lounging area. They should know where it is, but not where they hang out to pee and poo.

I only put out a quarter cup or so per day. Maybe less. I put some in the regular mineral feeder, and mix a bit with baking soda and put it in one corner of the food feeder.

Putting out too much at a time (no matter which height) makes for waste.

[Zilli]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Put the mineral feeders where they are NOT in a lounging area. They should know where it is, but not where they hang out to pee and poo.

I only put out a quarter cup or so per day. Maybe less. I put some in the regular mineral feeder, and mix a bit with baking soda and put it in one corner of the food feeder.

Putting out too much at a time (no matter which height) makes for waste.

I have tried moving it around to different spots inside the goat house and it doesn't seem to matter where I put it - someone still manages to poop and/or pee in it.

Probably just putting out a little each day, instead of what I've been doing, which has been to half fill the feeder, would be a good idea. At least then, if it does get soiled, I won't be throwing out nearly as much.

Thanks.

[Donna1982]

With mine I have learned it does not matter how high or low I put it someone somehow will poop in it. So now I put like Alice said very little and fill it every day.

[prairiedog]

We put a cinder block so the little ones can put their feet on it and reach in

[Zilli]

Originally Posted by prairiedog

We put a cinder block so the little ones can put their feet on it and reach in

Interesting.....

I hadn't thought about that. Hmmm.......

Thanks.

[wolffeathers]

We use an over-fence bucket. Put half a scoop of mineral salt in it and then hang it on the "outside" of a pipe gate, so they have to stick their heads through the gate to get into the bucket of mineral. Is slows down the soiling and reduces waste. I still won't fill it up because once they track dirt or waste into it, they won't use it. We still have to copper bolus on top of free choice mineral.

[mygoat]

For the does, I have the feeder on the wall of their stall below an old cow manger - keeps too many critters from backing over it and it stays fairly clean.

For the bucks, I took and old storage bin, put holes in the bottom, and zip tied the feeder to the inside of the storage tote so it sat on one of the short ends. Then I zip tied the opening on the front to the cattle panel. Goats stick their heads through the cattle panel to access the inside of the storage tote and thus the mineral feeder. This keeps the weather off of the minerals and keeps the minerals/baking soda clean.

Putting too much soda or salt out will be a cause of waste. It gets 'old' and cakey - and I think the baking soda absorbs the smells of the surroundings and becomes unappetizing. I only put out a bit at a time as well.

I just put the feeders at the height for the pygmies and goat kids. The cinder block isn't a bad idea.